Draft Thread Part 2

[ATLTimekeeper]

Show of hands, how many people would be comfortable trading back if the guys you want our pick aren't there?

Secondary question, are the Knicks the only trade back option (picks 21, 23, and 32) or should we trade with a team not as farm down (the WIzards at 12, for instance) for their 2021 pick + maybe a future first or the option to switch picks in a future draft?

Trade up toward the impact stars, not back and away from them.

[tecumseh18]

But idk, sometime the shot is fixable and sometimes it's not. And I can't get over that in my mind because I've seen those sort of Josh Johnson/MKG types fail to launch. I suppose I rather not have that problem.

Or Stanley Johnson, an 8th pick. After that experience, I don't think the Raps want to invest more resources into fixing somebody's shot. We're trying to win next year. A wing rotation of OG, Moody and Trent sounds pretty solid going forward. Moody's floor even for next season is a guy who can help us.

[Raptorfan2012]

It will be very interesting/frustrating to see where they go if they do end up picking 7th in a 6 player draft.

But that will make scouting the rest of the board an interesting experience since they're all sort of imperfect prospects compared to Cade/Mobley/Green/Suggs/Barnes/Kuminga who are the elite prospects in this draft.

I see a lot of places having Keon Johnson going to us and though it wouldn't be my fave pick and we don't know if they're even interested in him as a prospect, but I can see them really liking his defensive potential. He and Fred or Malachi as a backcourt would absolutely hound players. But ultimately, his busted shot is a giant red flag. He's a guy you'd have no problem finding in the 2nd, but in the top 10? That's a bit high for someone that's like a rich man's Bembry type, right? I guess people are drawn to the athleticism.

I'd be fine with Moody. Don't overthink it. Shooting and size goes a long way. And he's still pretty young. Seems like a guy like him drops in every draft and people will look back wondering how that happened.

Watch on YouTube

Not too bad paired with another 3+D guy in OG.

Moody looks like another Gary Trent Jr type (not necessarily a bad thing, but I feel like their skillsets overlap). If we are drafting 7-8, I rather look at a combo guard type to play next to FVV - Mann or Springer may be better fits.

[bluerap23]

Let's take a moment to appreciate the Tankathon simulator. I just noticed that during it's sim, I see the players also allign according to which team ends up where. I guess they have a big board ranking for each lottery team's possible selections!!!

I just noticed this too. I noticed they had us picking Jalen Johnson at 7 which was very surprising. I knew very little about him as most mocks have him going in the 20's but his /36 numbers are crazy 18.9 PTS 10.2 REB 3.8 AST 2.1 BLK 1.9 STL
Prototypical NBA small forward
I guess he fell in some mocks because he was injured and quit the team when he came back and was put on the bench.

[StringerBell]

Fair enough. But answer me this: Where's Wallace at? Where's the boy, String? Where's Wallace? That's all I wanna know. Where the **** is Wallace? Huh? String, String... Look at me. LOOK AT ME! WHERE THE **** IS WALLACE??!?

Aight you stupid ******, you made your decision.

So we got the #7 slot locked up? That's good. That’s like a 40-degree day. Ain’t nobody got nothing to say about a 40-degree day. Fifty? Bring a smile to your face. Sixty, ****, n—-s is damn near barbecuing on that mother—–. Go down to 20, n—– get their bitch on. Get their blood complaining. But forty? Nobody give a f— about 40. Nobody remember 40, and y’all n—-s is giving me way too many 40-degree days! What the f—?

Amazing

[ATLTimekeeper]

Giddey pick smells of all smoke

You think the Raptors would waste weeks of scouting opportunities in Europe by sending their top guys to Australia just to throw someone off their scent that they might reach on a guy widely mocked in the late lottery to mid first round? They don't even know where they're picking yet.

The Raps are scouting everyone. The rumours of us specifically scouting giddey to me is total smoke. He’s not our type of player
Dont be naive. The smoke starts early. League execs and scouts follow it all from the beginning to make you always question whag another team is doing.

Who else do you think they're scouting in Australia right now? The Raptors are scouting everyone, but they're not going to specifically send their top scout to Australia, where he has to sit in quarantine for two weeks, just so that a couple of Australian media members can I.D. him in the crowd, just so that other GMs think we like him. There's prospects all over Europe playing right now that our top scout is missing out on just so that he can participate in this ruse? If this was the case the Raptors would be the dumbest franchise in the NBA, wasting their resources to construct a rumour they literally could have made up.

[Psubs]

Let's take a moment to appreciate the Tankathon simulator. I just noticed that during it's sim, I see the players also allign according to which team ends up where. I guess they have a big board ranking for each lottery team's possible selections!!!

I just noticed this too. I noticed they had us picking Jalen Johnson at 7 which was very surprising. I knew very little about him as most mocks have him going in the 20's but his /36 numbers are crazy 18.9 PTS 10.2 REB 3.8 AST 2.1 BLK 1.9 STL
Prototypical NBA small forward
I guess he fell in some mocks because he was injured and quit the team when he came back and was put on the bench.

I guess mocks are hedging their bets because of the red flags.

[Psubs]

But idk, sometime the shot is fixable and sometimes it's not. And I can't get over that in my mind because I've seen those sort of Josh Johnson/MKG types fail to launch. I suppose I rather not have that problem.

Or Stanley Johnson, an 8th pick. After that experience, I don't think the Raps want to invest more resources into fixing somebody's shot. We're trying to win next year. A wing rotation of OG, Moody and Trent sounds pretty solid going forward. Moody's floor even for next season is a guy who can help us.

Can Moody help more than Paul Watson?

[WuTang_CMB]

You think the Raptors would waste weeks of scouting opportunities in Europe by sending their top guys to Australia just to throw someone off their scent that they might reach on a guy widely mocked in the late lottery to mid first round? They don't even know where they're picking yet.

The Raps are scouting everyone. The rumours of us specifically scouting giddey to me is total smoke. He’s not our type of player
Dont be naive. The smoke starts early. League execs and scouts follow it all from the beginning to make you always question whag another team is doing.

Who else do you think they're scouting in Australia right now? The Raptors are scouting everyone, but they're not going to specifically send their top scout to Australia, where he has to sit in quarantine for two weeks, just so that a couple of Australian media members can I.D. him in the crowd, just so that other GMs think we like him. There's prospects all over Europe playing right now that our top scout is missing out on just so that he can participate in this ruse? If this was the case the Raptors would be the dumbest franchise in the NBA, wasting their resources to construct a rumour they literally could have made up.

lol Yes they will. That's his job. It's May 10th and the draft is July 29. They have to do their homework on every single prospect, especially now since we are sitting in a top 7-8-9 position.

The smokescreens happen early every single year, this is no exception. We have been tight knit on every draft since Masai came here (the only thing I remember that leaked was trading for Shai, which I believe was true).

Nevertheless, we definitely pumped this news out - Giddey does not fit this team.

[tecumseh18]

But idk, sometime the shot is fixable and sometimes it's not. And I can't get over that in my mind because I've seen those sort of Josh Johnson/MKG types fail to launch. I suppose I rather not have that problem.

Or Stanley Johnson, an 8th pick. After that experience, I don't think the Raps want to invest more resources into fixing somebody's shot. We're trying to win next year. A wing rotation of OG, Moody and Trent sounds pretty solid going forward. Moody's floor even for next season is a guy who can help us.

Can Moody help more than Paul Watson?

I like Watson, but he hasn't proved worthy of a spot in the 8-man rotation yet. Scoring 30 against the tanking Magic doesn't do it. He'll get plenty of chances next year to show he can stay healthy and productive.

Again, Raps aren't gonna be messing around next year. We've got a solid core that I personally believe in, and we'll be going for it.

[ATLTimekeeper]

If you want to talk about Giddey being special, I suggest you take a look at some footage of Ricky Rubio and Shaun Livingston as prospects. Both of them looked incredible, and unfortunately Livingston suffered a tough injury, but Giddey's film doesn't hold a candle to either of them.

Rubio was certainly special and one of the best international prospects ever. I think when all is said and done he'll end up like the 5th, 6th best player out of that draft class, which is roughly where he went. Almost everything translated but his shooting, and he was a much better defender than he was being credited for in his pre-draft run up. A lot of the exact same biases were working against him. It just turned out the thing people assumed he'd be able to do was score, and it never materialized.

Livingston I'll probably disagree. He was a hot prospect in high school, but with a terrible frame for professional basketball and injuries were always going to be a part of his career. They just happened early and often and ruined whatever potential he had. Like, no one can look at Giddey's body and think it compares to Livingston at the same age. Giddey is already likely 30lbs heavier than Livingston was as a rookie.

Anyway, all that is to say I think that if Giddey has Rubio's career that would be a very good pick at 7 or 8, even though no one else would think so. And if he ends up as a more consistent shooter than his upside is a little more exciting.

[ATLTimekeeper]

lol Yes they will. That's his job. It's May 10th and the draft is July 29. They have to do their homework on every single prospect, especially now since we are sitting in a top 7-8-9 position.

The smokescreens happen early every single year, this is no exception. We have been tight knit on every draft since Masai came here (the only thing I remember that leaked was trading for Shai, which I believe was true).

Nevertheless, we definitely pumped this news out - Giddey does not fit this team.

You are very confused and I'll leave it at that. The Raptors did not send their top scouts to Australia just to tell the local media to I.D. them in the crowd during a broadcast just to throw other teams off.

[tecumseh18]

It will be very interesting/frustrating to see where they go if they do end up picking 7th in a 6 player draft.

Also, it's WAY too early to say this. Every year we have a lottery pick, haters say "Raps are picking xth in a x-1 player draft", and every year it's proven wrong. Draft prospects are working hard on their games as we speak. Maybe some non shooters come in with wet AF shots. Some guys physically grow.

And the Raps have shown they are good at drafting. 7th or even 8th may be perfectly fine as a drafting spot.

[ATLTimekeeper]

It will be very interesting/frustrating to see where they go if they do end up picking 7th in a 6 player draft.

Also, it's WAY too early to say this. Every year we have a lottery pick, haters say "Raps are picking xth in a x-1 player draft", and every year it's proven wrong. Draft prospects are working hard on their games as we speak. Maybe some non shooters come in with wet AF shots. Some guys physically grow.

And the Raps have shown they are good at drafting. 7th or even 8th may be perfectly fine as a drafting spot.

You'd think after the past several years people would have learned that "x-1" draft thing is always wrong Did everyone miss that we actually won a title? Raptor fatalism is done.

I still remember BC talking about how the Blake Griffin draft was a 1 player draft. Then Curry and Harden go 3rd and 7th.

[Psubs]

Or Stanley Johnson, an 8th pick. After that experience, I don't think the Raps want to invest more resources into fixing somebody's shot. We're trying to win next year. A wing rotation of OG, Moody and Trent sounds pretty solid going forward. Moody's floor even for next season is a guy who can help us.

Can Moody help more than Paul Watson?

I like Watson, but he hasn't proved worthy of a spot in the 8-man rotation yet. Scoring 30 against the tanking Magic doesn't do it. He'll get plenty of chances next year to show he can stay healthy and productive.

Again, Raps aren't gonna be messing around next year. We've got a solid core that I personally believe in, and we'll be going for it.

Can he help more than Jalen Harris? Maybe covering some back up SF; then not sure if he'll be better than Yuta.

[WuTang_CMB]

lol Yes they will. That's his job. It's May 10th and the draft is July 29. They have to do their homework on every single prospect, especially now since we are sitting in a top 7-8-9 position.

The smokescreens happen early every single year, this is no exception. We have been tight knit on every draft since Masai came here (the only thing I remember that leaked was trading for Shai, which I believe was true).

Nevertheless, we definitely pumped this news out - Giddey does not fit this team.

You are very confused and I'll leave it at that. The Raptors did not send their top scouts to Australia just to tell the local media to I.D. them in the crowd during a broadcast just to throw other teams off.

No, I just dont think you understand how the game works and are pretty naïve. Raps will do their homework on every player, no matter the circumstances of Covid - it's their job to turn over every stone. I am telling you that this player in my mind, is not their pick and thus got the ball rolling with the smoke, as Masai masterfully does every year.

[ATLTimekeeper]

lol Yes they will. That's his job. It's May 10th and the draft is July 29. They have to do their homework on every single prospect, especially now since we are sitting in a top 7-8-9 position.

The smokescreens happen early every single year, this is no exception. We have been tight knit on every draft since Masai came here (the only thing I remember that leaked was trading for Shai, which I believe was true).

Nevertheless, we definitely pumped this news out - Giddey does not fit this team.

You are very confused and I'll leave it at that. The Raptors did not send their top scouts to Australia just to tell the local media to I.D. them in the crowd during a broadcast just to throw other teams off.

No, I just dont think you understand how the game works and are pretty naïve. Raps will do their homework on every player, no matter the circumstances of Covid - it's their job to turn over every stone. I am telling you that this player in my mind, is not their pick and thus got the ball rolling with the smoke, as Masai masterfully does every year.

What's ridiculous is that you think the Raptors have written him off while also admitting they have to turn over every stone. Surely they could have just watched the same youtube clip you did to form that conclusion and then spend the rest of their time scouting other players. Or surely they could have sent less important scouts.

[Psubs]

Let the scouts scout.

[DatHomieYouHaTe]

lol Yes they will. That's his job. It's May 10th and the draft is July 29. They have to do their homework on every single prospect, especially now since we are sitting in a top 7-8-9 position.

The smokescreens happen early every single year, this is no exception. We have been tight knit on every draft since Masai came here (the only thing I remember that leaked was trading for Shai, which I believe was true).

Nevertheless, we definitely pumped this news out - Giddey does not fit this team.

You are very confused and I'll leave it at that. The Raptors did not send their top scouts to Australia just to tell the local media to I.D. them in the crowd during a broadcast just to throw other teams off.

No, I just dont think you understand how the game works and are pretty naïve. Raps will do their homework on every player, no matter the circumstances of Covid - it's their job to turn over every stone. I am telling you that this player in my mind, is not their pick and thus got the ball rolling with the smoke, as Masai masterfully does every year.

I think it's just you not liking the player so you call smoke screen o fit your narrative but you know good and well they aint sending scouts out for smoke screens lol

[T-d0t]

Let the scouts scout.

^ We'll only know who was right a few years down the line and then it will only be for bragging rights